Paper Dispenser

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a paper dispenser, comprising two concentric tubes ( 1 - 2 ), both provided with a longitudinal window ( 11 - 21 ). The inner tube has a series of sheets of paper ( 4 ) folded into a horseshoe shape and facing one another, forming a stack from which the sheets are extracted one by one by pulling the top sheet which projects through a longitudinal opening ( 21 ). Two side covers ( 3 ) close said inner cylinder, hold the group of sheets of paper ( 4 ) therein and allow gripping it with only two fingers while the outer surrounding tube ( 1 ) is rotated in order to place the grooves ( 11 - 21 ) facing one another when a sheet of paper is to be extracted, or to conceal the inner groove ( 21 ) in the blind area of the outer cylinder ( 1 ) so as to also conceal the end of the paper ( 4 ) and prevent its extraction in that position.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a paper dispenser, of the type in whichthe product is folded in successive sheets, facing and overlapping oneanother, forming a stack from which the sheets are extracted one by oneby pulling the top sheet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are currently different types of paper dispensers for dispensingeither napkins, toilet paper or smoking paper. The successive sheets tobe dispensed are either attached to one another by a perforated line orthey are linked together, overlapping one another, as in the case of theinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The dispenser of the invention is formed by two concentric cylindricaltubes both provided with a generating window, inside which there arearranged sheets of paper folded into a horseshoe shape, such that theconvex area is facing the generating opening of the inner cylinder,whereas the ends of the horseshoe are located towards the inner part ofthe mentioned inner tube.

The inner tube internally has a longitudinal guide, diametricallyopposite the aforementioned opening, which allows placing the paperfolded into a horseshoe shape as previously mentioned, such that the endof the outer sheet of paper slightly projects through the generatingwindow.

This guide inside the inner tube has optionally been eliminated, inwhich case this element must have a configuration having anon-cylindrical geometric section in order to internally have edgeswhich immobilize the sheets of paper in the mentioned position, foldedinto a horseshoe shape with the convex area arranged towards thelongitudinal groove. In this case the outer tube will also be replacedwith a laterally hinged cover.

The inner tube has respective side covers which hold the sheets of paperin place therein and allow, when grabbing it with the index finger andthumb placed on them, rotating the outer surrounding tube until thegrooves are facing one another in a normal operating situation in orderto be able to extract one of the sheets of paper from therein; or, withthese grooves misaligned, i.e., with the inner groove concealed in theblind area of the outer cylinder, also covering the end of the paper andpreventing its extraction.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to complement the description that is being made and for thepurpose of aiding to understand the features of the invention, a set ofdrawings is attached to the present specification in which the followinghas been shown with an illustrative and non-limiting character:

FIG. 1 shows a side elevational view and respective sections indicatedin said view.

FIG. 2 shows respective perspective views of the mentioned device in theoperating position and with its parts shown in exploded view.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment variant of a dispenserof this type.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

As can be seen in the mentioned figures, the device of the inventioncomprises two elements in the form of hollow cylindrical tubesrespectively referenced as outer tube (1) and inner tube (2). Both tubeshave grooves or a generating window, respectively referenced as (11) and(21).

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the inner tube (2) also has alongitudinal guide (22) on its inner face, which is locateddiametrically opposite the groove (21). Placed on this guide is theblock of paper (4), folded into a horseshoe shape, which is formed bysuccessive sheets folded in a V shape overlapping and hooked to oneanother, such that the end of the inner sheet projects through thewindow (21) so that the user can pull its end and thus extractsuccessive sheets of paper.

The solution depicted in FIG. 3 shows a dispenser in which the innertube (2A) has a configuration having a non-circular geometric section,in which therefore there are edges which allow immobilizing the sheetsof paper (4) in the indicated position, folded into a horseshoe shapewith the convex area arranged towards the longitudinal groove (21A).Therefore, in this case the need for the longitudinal guide performingthis function of preventing the rotation of the paper when each sheet isextracted is therefore eliminated. In this case, the outer tube can andmust be replaced with a laterally hinged cover (1A).

The inner tube (2) has respective side covers (3) which are snap-fittedon it and allow gripping it in order to be able to rotate the outer tube(3) until aligning both windows (11) and (21) and thus being able toextract the sheets or to rotate the outer tube (2) to a position inwhich the windows (11) and (21) are not aligned and in which theextraction of paper (4) is therefore not possible.

Having sufficiently described the nature of the invention as well as apreferred embodiment, it is hereby stated for all suitable purposes thatthe materials, shape, size and arrangement of the described elementscould be modified provided that this does not involve an alteration ofthe essential features of the invention which are claimed below.

1. A paper dispenser for paper folded in successive sheets facing oneanother, forming a stack from which the sheets are extracted one by oneby pulling the top sheet, comprising two concentric cylindrical tubes(1-2), both provided with a longitudinal window (11-21), the inner tubecomprising a set of sheets of paper (4), folded into a horseshoe shapewith the convex area arranged facing the longitudinal opening (21) ofthe inner cylinder (2), which has respective side covers (3) which holdthe group of sheets of paper (4) therein and allow gripping it with onlytwo fingers while the outer surrounding tube (1) is rotated in order toplace the grooves (11-21) facing one another when a sheet of paper is tobe extracted, or to conceal the inner groove (21) in the blind area ofthe outer cylinder (1) so as to also conceal the end of the paper (4)and prevent its extraction in that position.
 2. The paper dispenseraccording to claim 1, wherein the inner tube (2) internally has alongitudinal guide (22) diametrically opposite the generating opening(21) to facilitate this location of the paper, the end of the outersheet of paper slightly projecting through the window (21).
 3. The paperdispenser according to claim 1, wherein the inner tube (2A) has aconfiguration having a geometric section in which there are edges whichimmobilize the sheets of paper (4) in the indicated position folded intoa horseshoe shape with the convex area arranged towards the longitudinalgroove (21A).
 4. The paper dispenser according to claim 3, wherein theouter tube has been replaced with a laterally hinged cover (1A).